🌿 Pudina Pulao Recipe | Mint Coriander Rice

“✨ Refresh your taste buds with the cooling aroma of mint and the warmth of spices in this one-pot Pudina Pulao!” ✨

Pudina Pulao is a light, flavorful rice dish made with fresh mint 🌿, coriander 🌱, coconut 🥥, and aromatic spices 🌸. The green paste gives the pulao its signature fragrance and taste, making it both comforting and refreshing. Fragrant, green, and irresistibly fresh — Pudina Pulao is a one-pot wonder that combines the cooling flavor of mint with aromatic spices and wholesome veggies. Light on the stomach yet rich in taste, this pulao is perfect for a quick weekday lunch, lunchbox, or even as a refreshing change from regular rice dishes.

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Pulao

• Basmati rice – 1 cup (soaked 20–30 min)
• Onion – 1 (sliced)
• Tomato – 1 (chopped)
• Carrot – 1 (chopped)
• Potato – 1 (chopped)
• Frozen peas – ½ cup
• Ginger garlic paste – 1 tbsp
• Bay leaf – 1
• Cloves – 3 to 4
• Cinnamon stick – 1 inch
• Garam masala – ½ tsp
• Salt – as required
• Oil – 2 tbsp
• Ghee – 1 tbsp

For the Pudina Paste

• Fresh pudina (mint) leaves – 1 cup
• Fresh coriander leaves – ½ cup
• Grated coconut – ½ cup
• Green chilies – 3
• Jeera (cumin) – ½ tsp
• Black pepper – 10 to 12
• Lemon juice – ½ to 1

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. ** Soak Rice**

   • Wash basmati rice and soak in water for 20–30 minutes. Drain and keep aside.

2. ** Make Pudina Paste**

   • In a mixer, grind pudina, coriander leaves, coconut, green chilies, jeera, black pepper, and lemon juice with a little water to form a smooth paste.

3. ** Prepare the Base**

   • Heat oil + ghee in a kadai. Add bay leaf, cloves, and cinnamon. Saute for a few seconds.
   • Add sliced onions and saute until translucent.
   • Add tomatoes and cook until mushy.

4. ** Add Vegetables**

   • Add carrots, potatoes, and peas. Sprinkle garam masala and a little salt. Cook for 2–3 minutes.

5. ** Cook with Rice**

   • In a rice cooker or pressure cooker, add drained basmati rice, sautéed veggies, and ground pudina paste.

   • For 1 cup rice, add 1.5 cups water. Adjust salt (water should taste slightly salty before cooking).

   • Pressure Cooker: 1 whistle on high flame, then 3–5 minutes on low.

   • Rice Cooker: Cook until done.

6. ** Finish with Ghee**

   • Once cooked, drizzle 1 spoon of ghee, cover, and rest for 5 minutes for enhanced flavor.

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🌟 Tips

• Use fresh mint leaves for maximum aroma.
• Do not skip lemon juice — it balances the flavor and keeps the green paste fresh in color.
• Always taste the water before cooking rice to ensure salt levels are perfect.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Best served with plain curd 🥛, onion raita 🥒, or spicy kurma 🍛.
• Great as a lunchbox recipe 🍱 since it stays flavorful even after a few hours.

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💪 Nutritional Benefits

** Mint & Coriander**

• Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and natural cooling properties.

** Coconut**

• Provides healthy fats and adds natural sweetness.

** Vegetables**

• Boost fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

** Basmati Rice**

• Light and aromatic, provides instant energy.

👉 Pudina Pulao is a healthy, flavorful, and refreshing one-pot meal that brings together taste, nutrition, and tradition in every bite.

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🎥 Video Tutorial